Oxford mini-break...

So last week I didn't get the chance to do my usual post. Why? Because I was having Christmas no II.
We had to cancel my Mums visit with everything that happened over the original season. It felt weird exchanging presents in February but lovely to spend time catching up together.

We decided last week, as we had a few days booked off work, that we would go away for a mini break. We both felt that the break away to somewhere new would be beneficial. 

We chose Oxford, as it was affordable and accessible by train and for once we chose to head north-bound.

We stayed in a lovely B+B, which was just out of town. It was just opposite the Thames, and if our trip had been booked the previous week, the road was completely flooded. Luckily for  us the weather stayed reasonably fine.

On arrival, we strolled around the high streets and shopping malls, and picked up plenty of  leaflets to plan places to go.

With our organising done over lunch, we walked the lanes and headed to the museums.

We chose the Natural History museum as our destination, and despite it being very busy due to it being half-term week, we enjoyed our afternoon pouring over the artefacts

bones, and animals

The following day, our first stopping point was the castle. This used to be a gaol and we had a fantastic guide (each guide dressed as a character from the castles history) we had a gypsy who had been a prisoner and had managed to escape twice. She was full of stories and had a great interaction with the group.

After a hot-chocolate break, we headed towards the Carfax tower, this gave us a view over Oxford. We were glutton for punishment, as we'd already walked up 100+ steps in the castle, and now we had another 100+ to tackle.

Then it was a trip up to the Alice shop before having a bite to eat.

As the sun gave a rare appearance we took a stroll to the poor over-flowing river

and around the college exteriors

We rounded up the day with a lovely meal and a colourful round of drinks...

We thoroughly enjoyed our little trip, although we felt quite exhausted from our long active days, but we would recommend anyone to drop into the city. 

So for last weeks mood square...

I chose Red = valentines, Blue = tiredness, and lilac for relaxed at home...

And this weeks mood square

Red = Christmas (and cherry sour shots ;-) ), Yellow = Adventure and exploring, Pink = Happy and together, and Lilac = relaxed

I've been forcing myself to continue with my mini squares cushion, but I was falling a bit out of love with it, as I was finding the joining/edging so tedious to do!, and was eager to start something new. I was happy to reach the completion of the front, but felt downcast that I had to start all over again with the back. But with the experience i'd gained from the first joins, I found my progress to be much quicker, so there may be light at the end of the tunnel yet!